mousse

1 of 2

noun

ˈmüs 

1

: a light spongy food usually containing cream or gelatin

2

: a molded chilled dessert made with sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin

chocolate mousse

3

: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2

verb

moussed; moussing

transitive verb

: to style (hair) with mousse

Examples of mousse in a Sentence

Noun

a jar of styling mousse

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The food menu complements the martini focus, with easy raw bar pairings like caviar service, coconut fluke ceviche and tuna tartare served with avocado mousse and wasabi. — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Even the delivery system keeps evolving, from mousses and gels to tints. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

For extra hold, apply a little volumizing mousse or a lightweight styling product to damp hair. — Lucy Binder, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026

The brand sells tanning mousse, tanning face drops, and tanning accessories. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, froth, moss, from Old French mosse, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German mos moss — more at moss

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1984, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mousse

• coos
• cruce
• deuce
• douce
• duce
• goose
• hoose
• juice
• loose
• noose
• nous
• sluice

Kids Definition

mousse

1 of 2 noun

ˈmüs 

1

: a light whipped or molded food

especially : a cold dessert of sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin

2

: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2 verb

moussed; moussing

: to style (hair) with mousse